L.L. Bean’s Outdoor Discovery School is Back

It’s that time of year again where people are starting to spend more and more time indoors, which can get monotonous even for a homebody. L.L.Bean is inviting people to break that cycle with the winter edition of their Outdoor Discovery School. All through this winter, L.L.Bean will be offering snowshoeing and cross-country skiing lessons and adventures. Never snowshoed or skied before? No problem! There are classes available for all experience levels and, best of all, their state of the art equipment is provided free of charge.

Snowshoeing

I like to call snowshoeing the winter-hiking, as that is essentially what you’re doing. It is a fun and relaxing way to explore Maine’s wilderness, which is inexplicably calm and serene during the winter. The majority of L.L.Bean’s snowshoeing courses are rated easy and require no prerequisites. Should you choose to embark on this journey, your meeting spot will be at the beautiful Fogg Farm in Freeport.

Once at Fogg Farm, your experienced instructor will provide you with snowshoes and poles and instruct you on basic techniques. Once everyone feels confident with their new equipment, your instructor will take you on a guided trek through the woods. Not only will your adventure be scenic, but your instructor will also provide you with fun facts and information about local plants and wildlife.

Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-country skiing is a little more difficult than snowshoeing but still easy to learn! This exciting sport uses poles to help you glide over the top of snow so you can explore trails with ease.

This year’s cross-country skiing Discover Course is being held at a new location. The beautiful and historic Yarmouth Hall at Pineland Farms is where your group will meet. Your instructor will teach you the ropes, such as navigating various terrain and how to stride, pole, and turn. When everyone is ready, then you will all embark on your ski excursion.

What to Bring
It’s December in Maine, so it would be redundant for me to tell you to dress warm, but many people don’t know the proper way to do so. Remember the three L’s: light, loose, layers. Having layers will keep you insulated, and should it be sunny and you work up a sweat, then you can peel one off a layer to be more comfortable. If you choose to wear gloves, make sure they are made of a material that can keep a grip on the poles you will be using.

Even though we may not be feeling the warmth of the sun’s rays much this time of year, that doesn’t mean the sun can’t harm us. Sun reflecting off of snow can cause snow blindness, which is a painful sunburn to the eye. Although this is unlikely to happen, sunglasses are still recommended. Sunscreen will be provided to protect you from harmful UV rays as well.

As mentioned before, all equipment is provided. If you choose to bring your own equipment, it must be inspected by your instructor. If it is deemed unsuitable, you will still be given the necessary equipment. You will be exercising, so water is recommended.

Reservations and Conditions

These exciting classes only cost $30 a person, and your spot can be reserved online. Due to Covid, class sizes are smaller this year, so make sure to book in advance.

Mainers are resilient folk, and so aren’t the people at L.L.Bean. These classes don’t typically get canceled for bad weather, but L.L.Bean will make the occasional exception if there’s a particularly bad Nor’easter coming. Should this happen, then you will be fully reimbursed for the cost of your reservation.  

– Written By Stacy Oswald